Reykjavík Geothermal Hop & Vinyl Nights — 2-day friends getaway
An adventurous, cozy 2-day loop for friends: city bike tour, Reykjavík pools, a day trip to the Secret Lagoon + Golden Circle stops, and vinyl-focused, social nightlife with live music and bar vibes. Group-friendly, playful, and paced for shared costs.
Highlights
- Group-friendly Reykjavik bike tour
- Laugardalslaug city geothermal pool
- Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) day soak
- Friðheimar greenhouse lunch
- Hlemmur Mathöll food-hall for shared plates
- Vinyl browsing + nights at Lucky Records and KEX Bar / Prikið
Itinerary
Day 1
City-centered geothermal & vinyl intro — active morning, shared food-hall lunch, pool soak, record browsing and a lively bar night.
Reykjavík Bike Tour — playful city spin
Guided 2.5-hour bike tour covering the main neighborhoods, street art, and a quick harbour loop — social, energetic, and a great way to orient the group.
Local tips:
- Wear layers and a windproof shell — Reykjavík wind can change fast; the guide will stop for quick layer adjustments.
- Book a single group booking or split into two smaller bookings so the operator seats you together; most companies happily charge per person for groups of 4–6.
- Ask the guide for a local café stop suggestion mid-ride — they know quieter spots with outdoor bike parking and great group seating.
Lunch & stall-hopping at Hlemmur Mathöll food hall
Casual, social food-hall where everyone can sample different stalls — ideal for sharing plates and keeping costs flexible for the group.
Local tips:
- Aim for a communal table; tell staff you're a group of 4–6 and they'll usually free up space or help you share benches.
- Order a few different stalls to share (Icelandic tapas approach) so everyone tastes local specialties without committing to one entree.
- Most vendors are cashless — pay by card and keep an eye on the boards for live/dj events in the evenings.
Laugardalslaug — big city pool soak & hot tubs
Reykjavík's largest public pool complex: geothermal pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, and a playful vibe — great for relaxing after cycling.
Local tips:
- Lockers and showers are available but bring a small waterproof pouch for your phone and a towel — flip-flops are strongly recommended for deck areas.
- The outdoor hot tubs have great city views at dusk — reserve your post-soak group hangout spot early so you don’t split up.
- Pay attention to the entry rules (shower before entering pools) — it’s enforced for hygiene; lockers take cards or coins depending on the entrance.
Coffee regroup at Reykjavík Roasters
Hand-roasted coffee stop to warm up and plan the evening — small, cozy, and locally loved. Good spot to split receipts or combine a group tab.
Local tips:
- Seating is limited — rotate between enjoying an espresso and browsing the neighborhood; order to a single tab to simplify splitting.
- Try the brewing bar options if your group is into coffee — great conversation starter and staff will explain single-origin notes.
- If you need to freshen up clothes, ask staff for a quiet corner; they’re used to travellers and groups planning the next stop.
Record browsing at Lucky Records — vinyl warm-up
Browse a well-curated local record shop for new-to-you finds — perfect as a relaxed, nostalgic pre-game before the vinyl bar night.
Local tips:
- Call ahead if you’re hunting a specific album — staff are friendly and can pull records for groups to listen to.
- Set a small shared budget and let each person pick a cheap find — quick way to swap music later at the bar.
- Shop and then carry a discovery to KEX Bar (many bars welcome you to crack open a new track if asked politely).
Dinner & live music at KEX — vinyl-friendly bar vibes
KEX Bar at KEX Hostel is social, spacious, and often hosts live music or DJs — a perfect scene for a group night out with a cozy, hip atmosphere.
Local tips:
- Reserve a table for 4–6 in advance; KEX manages larger groups well and can put you near the live area.
- Order small plates to share so costs are split easily; the bar has a relaxed tapas-like menu meant for groups.
- Check the night's events ahead: some nights have DJs spinning records — ask staff if they can queue a song from your Lucky Records haul.
Day 2
Golden Circle-ish geothermal day trip centered on the Secret Lagoon, with a greenhouse lunch, roadside geyser viewing, and an evening vinyl/trivia night back in town.
Departure & bus transfer from BSÍ to Secret Lagoon
Group transfer from Reykjavík's central bus terminal to the Secret Lagoon area — a relaxed start to the geothermal day trip.
Local tips:
- Buy or reserve bus tickets online in advance for group discounts and guaranteed seating during busy periods.
- Use BSÍ’s baggage lockers if anyone wants to leave extra jackets behind; arrive 20–30 minutes early for confident group boarding.
- Wear swimsuit under layers to save time at the lagoon; bathrooms at BSÍ let you change before the ride if needed.
Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) — natural geothermal soak
Relax in one of Iceland's oldest natural hot springs — low-key, steam-filled pools and a rustic, authentic geothermal experience.
Local tips:
- Showers are mandatory before entering; use the on-site changing rooms to keep the group tidy and split costs for lockers if needed.
- Bring flip-flops and a dry bag for essentials; the lagoon water hovers around 38–40°C and is very relaxing after travel.
- The on-site cafe is small but perfect for a shared Icelandic dessert or hot beverage — split snacks while lounging on the warm benches.
Greenhouse lunch at Friðheimar
Unique, greenhouse-grown tomato restaurant: family-style soups, fresh breads, and a lively, photogenic meal — a must for groups.
Local tips:
- Book a table in advance; groups of 4–6 fit well in the greenhouse seating and the kitchen prepares group plates.
- The tomato soup and bread combo is easy to share as a group order — ask for extra plates to sample different accompaniments.
- Don’t skip the greenhouse tour or the tomato tastings; they’re quick, social, and perfect for a shared Instagram moment.
Quick stop at Geysir Geothermal Area (Strokkur)
Walk the boardwalk and watch Strokkur erupt — an iconic geothermal spectacle that’s easy to visit en route.
Local tips:
- Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes — pick a viewpoint early and have one person time the photo bursts for the group.
- Wear windproof layers and keep phones in protective cases; steam and spray can be heavy when Strokkur bursts.
- Stick to marked paths; large groups should spread out to avoid blocking viewpoints for other visitors.
Return transfer to Reykjavík (BSÍ arrival)
Afternoon coach back to Reykjavík — time to nap on the way back or plan the evening's vinyl crawl.
Local tips:
- Confirm the return pick-up point and time with the driver; choose seats together on the same side for easy disembarkation.
- Charge phones and download any evening event info during the ride — cell signal can be spotty on rural stretches.
- Bring a small travel blanket or extra layer for the bus; group members often swap stories and split snacks on the ride home.
Downtown regroup & freshen up (Laugavegur area)
Short break to change, shower, and drop off purchases. Use the central Laugavegur area to regroup before the evening.
Local tips:
- If your accommodation doesn't allow early check-in, drop bags at a luggage storage near Laugavegur and head straight out again.
- Plan a 20–30 minute freshen-up rotation for the group so everyone gets time to change before dinner.
- Pick a visible corner or cafe as a meet-up point (many spots on Laugavegur stay open late) so no one gets lost before nightlife.
Evening: Prikið — dinner, trivia / DJ night (vinyl-friendly)
Classic Reykjavík café-bar with a lively crowd, occasional live bands, and DJ nights — great for groups seeking relaxed drinks, trivia, or vinyl sets.
Local tips:
- Check the event calendar and aim for a trivia or DJ night; Prikið often welcomes groups and can put you near the performance area.
- Reserve a large table early; the venue is used to lively groups and often has specials for shared platters.
- If you want a vinyl-first evening, ask if the DJ can play a track you bring or recommend a local listening spot nearby after closing.